"When should I plant my seeds in California?" I am often asked.
Basically this all comes down to the same question coined by Shakespeare so many years ago, "To Be, or Not To Be?" First of all a little research can help you out as this information pertains to you whether you live here in California or not.
The most important piece of information in the approximation of timing on when to start your garden can be found here in a table nicely put together for Southern California seen below and at this location for the pdf. http://www.grangettos.com/assets/products/VeggiePlantingGuide.pdf
Also Check out their site it is a great resource: http://www.grangettos.com/main/veggie-guide.html
Even though I have given you this table it is flexible and I will tell you my experience in planting gardens for the past 6 years in Southern California.
My first garden was planted on the East side of our rental house in a long, raised flower bed. This garden was planted in the beginning of July when we moved into our first house after getting married. I planted the garden with tomatoes plants, cucumbers, corn, basil, lettuce, beans, onions, peas and carrots. Take my word for it July is too late to start a Garden. Your tomatoes, onions, beans and basil will do ok, but everything else will likely not produce anything or turn out very poor. It is just too hot in July. That is one extreme.
The optimal time for planting the Inland Empire seems to be from March to April from my experience. Everything will do relatively well and produce excellent veggies. Even things that the graph says not to plant for the summer months will still produce. The weather is warm enough so when your seedlings pop up they don't freeze and die and don't become stunted by the short days or colder weather. I find the seeds germinate within 4-7 days and will grow at a very rapid rate. This is important so that the plant can grow faster than the bugs are able to eat them.
Is there a too early in Southern California? Yes I would say February and earlier is too early. Last year I started my garden in mid February and I ended up replanting many things either because they didn't germinate, were devoured by bugs because of super slow growth or actually died because it was too cold at nights. So what can you plant in the cold weather if you want some early greens? Plant your leafy greens like lettuce, kale and chard. Peas also love cold and will actually thrive if you plant them earlier in the year. I've never seen peas grow to 7 feet high before, but they did last year. If you would like to plant tomatoes make sure they are larger plants because the smaller ones will die in the cold nights. Don't waste your money though, wait a few weeks and plant when the weather is warmer mid March or April. Don't plant squash or cucumbers too early because you will be wasting your seeds the majority of time.
Winter Gardening. I'll write another post some other time. This past winter I had a successful winter garden. You should start it anywhere from Late August to October. The cold weather plants do very well. Especially broccoli! So go early to the stores to get your broccoli seeds because they disappear fast! Cauliflower, kale, chard and carrots also grow well for winter gardening. Give it a shot. Well worth it since you don't have to water much.
REMEMBER... if all else fails read the back of the seed packages and look for the climate zones for the last frost and when to plant in your area. Generally planting after the last frost will keep you in the clear! Here is another great resource for climate zones and planting.
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
As with planting seeds in our gardens it is good to reflect on the Great Gardener and how He cares for us in His time.
Isaiah 60:18-22 has a marvelous picture of heaven in which the writer likens You and I to a shoot that He planted at the work of His hands for the display of His splendor. Verse 22 says, "in its time I will do this swiftly." Isn't it amazing that even God pays attention to the planting of each one of us!
Read below for the verses 60:18-22
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.”
This passage sounds far from anything in our world today. After all the horrendous acts of humanity against itself the past few years, including the Boston Marathon Bombing which occurred today, don't you long for something else. God is preparing a place for you, do you want to be there?. Let Him plant a seed of hope in you.
CHECK OUT THESE PRODUCTS I THINK YOU MIGHT FIND HANDY IN YOUR GARDEN, Thanks again the California Vegetable Gardener:
Basically this all comes down to the same question coined by Shakespeare so many years ago, "To Be, or Not To Be?" First of all a little research can help you out as this information pertains to you whether you live here in California or not.
The most important piece of information in the approximation of timing on when to start your garden can be found here in a table nicely put together for Southern California seen below and at this location for the pdf. http://www.grangettos.com/assets/products/VeggiePlantingGuide.pdf
Also Check out their site it is a great resource: http://www.grangettos.com/main/veggie-guide.html
Even though I have given you this table it is flexible and I will tell you my experience in planting gardens for the past 6 years in Southern California.
My first garden was planted on the East side of our rental house in a long, raised flower bed. This garden was planted in the beginning of July when we moved into our first house after getting married. I planted the garden with tomatoes plants, cucumbers, corn, basil, lettuce, beans, onions, peas and carrots. Take my word for it July is too late to start a Garden. Your tomatoes, onions, beans and basil will do ok, but everything else will likely not produce anything or turn out very poor. It is just too hot in July. That is one extreme.
The optimal time for planting the Inland Empire seems to be from March to April from my experience. Everything will do relatively well and produce excellent veggies. Even things that the graph says not to plant for the summer months will still produce. The weather is warm enough so when your seedlings pop up they don't freeze and die and don't become stunted by the short days or colder weather. I find the seeds germinate within 4-7 days and will grow at a very rapid rate. This is important so that the plant can grow faster than the bugs are able to eat them.
Is there a too early in Southern California? Yes I would say February and earlier is too early. Last year I started my garden in mid February and I ended up replanting many things either because they didn't germinate, were devoured by bugs because of super slow growth or actually died because it was too cold at nights. So what can you plant in the cold weather if you want some early greens? Plant your leafy greens like lettuce, kale and chard. Peas also love cold and will actually thrive if you plant them earlier in the year. I've never seen peas grow to 7 feet high before, but they did last year. If you would like to plant tomatoes make sure they are larger plants because the smaller ones will die in the cold nights. Don't waste your money though, wait a few weeks and plant when the weather is warmer mid March or April. Don't plant squash or cucumbers too early because you will be wasting your seeds the majority of time.
Winter Gardening. I'll write another post some other time. This past winter I had a successful winter garden. You should start it anywhere from Late August to October. The cold weather plants do very well. Especially broccoli! So go early to the stores to get your broccoli seeds because they disappear fast! Cauliflower, kale, chard and carrots also grow well for winter gardening. Give it a shot. Well worth it since you don't have to water much.
REMEMBER... if all else fails read the back of the seed packages and look for the climate zones for the last frost and when to plant in your area. Generally planting after the last frost will keep you in the clear! Here is another great resource for climate zones and planting.
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
As with planting seeds in our gardens it is good to reflect on the Great Gardener and how He cares for us in His time.
Isaiah 60:18-22 has a marvelous picture of heaven in which the writer likens You and I to a shoot that He planted at the work of His hands for the display of His splendor. Verse 22 says, "in its time I will do this swiftly." Isn't it amazing that even God pays attention to the planting of each one of us!
Read below for the verses 60:18-22
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
and your gates Praise.
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
21 Then all your people will be righteous
and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
the work of my hands,
for the display of my splendor.
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
in its time I will do this swiftly.”
This passage sounds far from anything in our world today. After all the horrendous acts of humanity against itself the past few years, including the Boston Marathon Bombing which occurred today, don't you long for something else. God is preparing a place for you, do you want to be there?. Let Him plant a seed of hope in you.
Till next time, God Bless you and your Garden.
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